Three-way swinging valve for concrete mixers



J1 me12, 1928. 1,673,097

G. E. WEBB THREE"WAY SWINGING VALVE FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed June 5, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Q, Georye i". Vlfib BY June 12, 1928.

' G. E. WEBB THREE-WAY SWINGING VALVE FOR CONCRETE MIXERS s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 5, 1925 A TTORNEYX June 12, 1928. 1,673,097-

- G. E. WEBB THREE-WAY SWINGING VALVE FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed June 5, 1925 3 SheetsSheet 3 INVENTOR Georyei'. W'efi A T TORNE K5 Patented June 12, 1928.

' UNITED? STATES PATENT '(DFFI-(Z' GEORGE-EVANS WEBB 'OF MILVTAUKEE, WISCONSIN,"ASSIGNORQTO KOEHRING' COM i PANY, 0F 'MILWAUKEE, VIXSCONSIN, A COBIOR-LA'JPION.

THREE-WAY SWINGING VALVE-FOR CONCRETE'MIXERS.

Application filed June 5,

In..theieonstruction of concrete mixing machines, it has heretofore been proposed to employ certain three-way valve means for governing the passage of water from a supplylineto the measuring tank that controls the quantity of water to be fed to the mire ing drum, This three-way valve mechanism also controls the passing of the water from the measuring. tank to the mixing drum. Letters Patent of Lichtenberg, l,525,l00, issued February 3, 1925, illustrates a type of such three-way valve mechanism upon which the aresent invention is an improvement;

'l heprimary object in designing the present improvement has been to produce valve means whichis constructed and operates in such way as to providea virtually unobstructed passage through which the water maymove from the measuring tank into the mixingdrum. That such a tree or unobstructedpassage is highly desirable for the practical operation of concrete mixers of the paver type is understood; Requirements governing the operation ot such mixers are beginning to. specity that the water must be introduced into the mixing drumbetore the user otthe machine starts to -measure the time of themixing period. Usually, a minimuininixing period of a minute or a minute and a half is specified for each batch of-aggregates handled in the drum.

It has heretofore requireda longer time to introduce the water into the drum than tointroduce the solid aggregates, and-the present invention I provides the means tor cutting down 'n'latcrially thetime factor consinned in the water introducing operation, i'heair being to get the water into the mixing drum about-as quickly as it is possible to introduce the solid aggregates; therefore, therewill be-no loss of time in measuring the mixing; period alter the solid aggres -tes ha been charged into the mixer.- This ioss o't timelzeretotore has been represented by the necess-i y of waiting for the waterto get into the drum in stateswhere it-is required that the waterand solid aggregates be in the drum at the zero hour ot themixing pe-' riod, which in other words is the commence ment timeot said period.

In the carrying out of the present inven tion, the piping systemrunning from the measuring tank to the mixing drum isso 1925. Serial No. 35,176.

made that no sharp turns, obstructing partitions," valves, pistons or th'elike are interposed in the path of the water as it passes from the measuring tank to the. said drum. A novel type of'pivoted valve is utilized in conju-nctionwith a piston involving certain of theprinciples ot the Lichtenberg patent previously referred to, but is arranged and operates in an essentially dilierent manner.

Among other objects of the invention are the provision ot'a special casing construction, pivoted valve, and a: c0unterbalancingpiston device, means tacilitating free removal andreplacement' ot the parts, also means for producing aquick opening. and closing movement of the valve as a supple inentto the action of the mainoperating means by which such action is initiated;

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side view of the frame work of the concrete paving machine showing the preferred embodiment of the invention applied thereto;

Fig; 2 'is an enlarged side view o'tthe valve mechanism; v 3 is a view, similar to Fig. 2', but taken from the point at right angles thereto; I

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view-through the valve. casing, illustrating clearly. the valve and piston members and connections;

Fig; 5 is atopplan, view of the valve casing;

Fig. (i-is aside view oft-he measuring tanl valve mechanism ordi'i'iarily known as the measuring valve; and

Fig. 7 is a detail viewci the guide. means for the skip actuated rod,

Referring to the drawings, andprimarily to Figure 1, the trame work ot the machine which is usually mountedupon a portablebase, not ilh'ist-rated, is desigmited as .iil Suitably supported"inthe frame work is'themixing drum :1, having the feeding chute 2 adapted .to be used when supplyirg the drum 1 with achargeof solid aggregates by means ot-the skip. The skip 3' is raised and lowered in-the' well'known manner by means notishow n. Above'the mixing drum 1 is disposed the measuring tank 4; from which leads an outflow passage provided by a pipe 6 suitably connected withthe casing-7 .ot thethree-way valve mechanism which, in

turn,.is connected: with the mixer supply the mixing drum 1.

able source of water supply, andthe water.

enters the valve casing parts 79 at a pressure .which ranges usually from thirty pounds to one hundred and fifty pounds depending upon the source of supply. It is notable that the pipes 6 and 8 are of relati'vely large diameter for facilitating the flow of water from the tank 4 into the mix-- ing drum 1, and that the arrangementof the said pipes, when connected by the casing 7,

is such that the water flows through the pas sage formed by these parts, with only, a slight curve in the passage, as said water passes from the tank 4 to the drum 1. p

The manner in which the three-way valve is mounted so as notto obstruct the passage of water from the casing 7 will now be set forth by particular reference to Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 4, the valve casing 7 will be seen as having a port 7 with which the pipe 6 is connected, also this casing 7 has the outflow port 7 with which the pipe 8 comnninicates. At the outflow port 7*, the casing 7 is equipped with a valve seat 11, against which the valve 12 is adapted to cooperate. The valve 12 is provided with a member 13 connected by the link 14 with a similar member 15 of the counter-balancing 7 piston 16 which operates in the piston chamber 17 of the water inlet casing or chamher 9 of the valve mechanism.vv The piston chamber 17 is located in the casing or chamber 9, there being a cored space between the two which constitutes a water inlet space into which directly'leads the water supply main line pipe 10.

The valve12 is pivoted by means'of the provision of a pivot shaft 18 near the uppermost outer portion of the casing 7. The casing part 9 is detachalbl v connected as by fastenings 19 to the casing 7. An opening is provided at the top of the casing 7 communicating with a corresponding opening in the bottom of the casing part 9,'said bottom opening being equipped with a detachable valve seat20. This construction is such that the water entering the casing part 9 is adapted to flow freely and downwardly through the opening in the bottom of the said part 9 and the opening in the top of the casing 7 into the latter casing, whereupon, if the valve 12 is in the position of Fig. 4, the water will flow to the measuring tank 4 through the port 7 Ifithe valve 12 is raised, and is in an open position, the water will flow through the port 7 and pipe 8 into Thevalve12 is a disc type valve, such construction being preferable because it may be provided with soft or semi-soft discs on its end to avoid displacement.

opposite faces for cooperation with the valve seats 11 and 20. The piston chamber 17 may be provided with a brass lining (not shown), rolled into the bore, and flared at its upper The valve seat 20'is preferably of brass, screwed into the bottom of the casing part 9. A non-ferrous valve seat may thus be used and corrosion of seat and rapid deterioration of valve avoided. The piston 16 is preferably made of two brass discs, between which is mounted the usual leather cup washer. The valve '12 preferably comprises a body having oppo-. site rccesses'in which are mounted the soft or semi-soft valve discs 12 and 12", the disc 12" c'o-acting with the seat 20 and the disc 12 with the seat 11. The axis of the shaft 18 is provided by boring through the extension -7 of the casing 7. for the shaft 18 provides an axis for the pivotal or swinging movement of the valve '12 and said valve has a pivoted extension 12 provided with a square hole in which. fits The bored hole either side of the casing, the shaft being interchangeable in its mounting for such pur pose. A screw plug 22 is used to close the end of the opening in the casing 7 receiving said shaft 18, and opposite the end from which the shaft projects, as seen best in Fig. 8. The projected end of the shaft 18 carries an operating lever 23, and preferably passes through a stutiing box 24 of any ordinary type. The lever 23 is keyed to the shaft 18 and adjacent to said lever 23 is a trip lever 25, loose upon the shaft 18 to the extent that it may be rotated. The lever 25, however, is prevented from =displacen1ent from the shaft 1 8.by a pin 26 engaging with an annular groove 27 in the outer end of said shaft. As seen best in Fig. 2, there is connected with the lower free end of the lever '25, a push rod 28 having a slot 29 through which a pin 80 of the lever 25 passes. The push rod 28 is connected with a link rod 31, with which is connected a hand lever pivoted on the frame work A of the machine. The lever 25 is equipped having connected therewith a coil spring.

vwith oppositely extending curved arms 25' v 34 attached to it at one end, the opposite end ofsaid spring being secured to a projecting arm 35 extending from the top plate-36 of the casing part 9.

antenna Vith the parts constructedaccording to the foregoing explanationgthe geii'eral operation" oi thedevice is as follows:

It w-illbe" assumed that theparts are in the positionsbt Fig-men and The ship 3 is raised to charge the drum 1 with heavy orsolidaggregatesl Asthe ship 3 reaches an angle of approximately above the gi'ade, a1'ollei' inen1bei"3 strikes a bend 28 of the rod The rod 28 is forced tothe lettt'o c orrespondingly actuate the lever 25,

hating increased the tensi'on ot the spring 5 to the maximumde ree used. At'apredetern-iinednmint'in the n'i'ovement-oi the rod 28in the left; the outernmst inclined end-'28 o't" l 28permitting theskip to continue its'in'ovenient upwards without forcing said rod 28' farther. The moveni'ei'it-ot'therod 28' was sutiici'en-t however, under" actuation of the ship 3 toshi-t't the lever over the dead center o'f its movement'in cooperation with the sp ri'i'ig ii i' so=th at-- said-spring 34, after the valvela-is raisedfrom its'seat- 11 bysaid" actuation of the rod 28, will quickl v impart" a-tinal risingmoveinent to the valve 12 to cause it to assume its upperi'no'st' position in Y the casing 'f;substantially in a'pl'a'ne above th'e port? coi'i nn uni'cating with the tank.

Then in Z this posit-ion; the valve 12,- which" h ais'previonsly cut olt connn'uni'cation from the tank 4 and the n'iixirrg' jdru'm 1, permits a 'tr'eerfiowing; of the measured quantity of water from the tank 4 into the drum 1 through the-pipes 6, casing '7, andpipe 8. The flow of the water lswholly unobstructed by the valvein such operation After the measured quantity of water has passed thri'iugh the drama, the operator'by moving the lJi'a-nd lever 32; mayreturnthe 'valve'12" to'it's positionagain'sttheseat 11; and cut otl' connnnnication fronrth'e"ta'nlr 4 to the drum 1. at'tlre same 'time' r'ee'stabll'shin'g"com innnicationbetweenthesupply lin'epipe 10 refilled:

It is notable that when the valve 12 is raised to the position just abhve described for admitting water to the drum 1'; said valve becomes seatedagainst the seat 20 and cutsofi' communication from the casing I t c K 4. part or chamber 9, throughwlnch the wa ter enters from th eima'in" lin'e p'ipe"10, and sa'icl port 7, thus discontinuing tl1e*'su=p )ly water to the tank. In returning the valve 12 by'th'ehan'dlever 32; the spline 34 acts to cause a final quick movement of the valve in exactly the same wav as the spring" acted previously to cause the final accelerated movement of the valve against its position on the seat 20. Necessarily the action of the hand lever 32 will restore the rod 28 to its normal position, first referred to.

yi'e rod 2? by cam action ora roller-36 is raisedso that the roller 3ot-the skip -is disengaged "from the bend 28 of'th'e rod It'is not necess-ary' tor the-puipose of thisinvent ioncooperate then-ed 2S fromtheskip 3 to open con'innmicat-ion from the tank 1 to the drum 1. This may be donemannz-illy, if desired. It" is noticeable, furthermore;

with reference to Fig.6, thatth'e measuring tank invol-ves tl'ie measuring means comprising the IDQElSul-ih'g pipe 37 in the tank i adapted to be raised and lowered by turning the hand le '38-;w'hich operates the worm 39 co-act1ng with a wornr'gear'secured on the pipe '27. res-thismeehams term aseparate i ivention tronr that described in detail herein,- til rtl' ier"cleni'ption" thereof is believed'notWvi-i ante Any'siutabletype ot measuri' g valvemechimism may be provid cit nF- et'anit ia- Reterrmg-to"Fig. 4, it is noticeable that ol thedgtilan'cinjg piston 16 and the area (it the v =l ve seat 20* is less than that ol the piston 16"?- Th'ewater 'pressure from the that theareaot' the valve seatll'as larger than to substa nt ial'l' balance tireressure on the valve 12. The "p-resstu'e' is' not coin pletelj balancedbecanse itfis desirable that when the valve is in the lower position ot Fi i,"

pressure of the water from the mainline will assist or tend 'to'h'ol-dthe valve l2 closed.

Furthermore; whenthe valve' l2- is seateda gtti-nst tl ie' seatQO; since thearea ot the fpis ton'1=6" is greater 'than that of the seat' 20,

the pressure jof'the' water againstfith e piston- 16*tends to hold the-valve 12 a'ga1'nst'the said seat 20. Iiiefii QtQtheretOre; th'e' wat-enpressure cooperates to maintainthe'va'lve12 in either" one of itstwo positions,co-act-in th'e'two seats 11 and 205- Itislpos'sible in the purviewotthe invention to dispense with the spring-'34, but said spring): is desirawith timingof the op osite!movement of the valve'12 wh ieh issnbstantially constant. ren

Hatingthus described niv in'ven'ti on, what I desire to secure-by Letters Patent'isz' 1i In combinationg-n valve casino; having a water inflow port; atank' port and a inixet' outflow p'o'rt,'- means to swinging'lv mount the alve in the ca, nti so'that when it'is port to aposition closing the water inflow port, it will not-obstruct the passage of the water through the tank port and easing out of the outflow port, a piston chamber in communication with the water inflow port, a piston mounted in said chamber, and connecting means between said piston and the valve, the water inflow port being of a smaller area than said pistonand the valve being of a greater area than said water inflow port for the purpose set forth.

3. In a valve ll'lGChdIllSlllOf the class described, in "combination, a valve casing having an upper water inflow port, atank supply port, and a water mixer outflow port, a valve adapted to swing from a positon closing the outflow port to a position closing said water inflow port, in which position said valve moves past-thetank supply port so as not to obstruct the passage of water" through said tank supply port to the mixer outflow port, a counterbalancing piston associated with the valve and arranged so that water entering said inflow port under pressure will act upon said piston at. thev same time that it acts upon said valve, and a connection between the piston and the valve.

4. In a valve mechanism of the class de-,

scribed, in combination, a valve casing having an upper wateriinflow port, a tank supply port,.and a water mixer outflow port, a' valveadapted to swing from a position closing the outflow port to a position closing said water inflow port, in which position i said valve moves past the tank supply port so as not to obstruct the passage of water through said tank supply port to the mixer outflow port, a counterbalancing plston associated withthe valve and arrangedso that water entering said inflow port under pressure will act upon said piston at the same time that it acts upon said valve,'a

connection between the piston and the valve,"

the water inflow port being of smaller area than the piston, and the valve area being greater than that of said inflow port.

5. In a valve mechanism of the class described, in combination, a valve casing having an upper water inflow port, a tanksupply port, and a water mixer outflow port,

a valve adapted to swing from a position closing the outflow port to a position closing said water inflow. port, in whichposition said valve moves past the tank supply port so asnot to obstruct the passage ofv water through said tank supply port to the mixer outflow port, a 'counterbalancing piston associated with the valve and arranged so that water entering said inflow port under pressure wil act'upon said piston at the same time that it acts upon said valve, a connectionbetween the piston and the valve, said connection being a link, and means for operating the valve including a device for auto matically accelerating the movement of the valve after preliminary mechanical shifting of the same.v

6. In a valve mechanism ofth'e class described, in combination, a valve casing having an upper water inflow port, a tank supply port, and a water mixer outflow port, a valve, adapted to swing from a position closing the outflow port to a position closing said water inflow port, in which position said valve moves past the tank supply port so as not to obstruct the passage of water through said tank supply port to the mixer outflow port, a counterbalancing piston associated with the valve and arranged so that water entering said inflow port under pressure Wlll act upon said piston at the same time that it acts upon said valve. a

connection between the piston and the valve,

7. In combination, a water tank, an un obstructed passage leading "from the water tank adapted to lead to a mixer, together with a valve located in said passage and movable from a position cutting off communication between the water tank and the mixer to a position establishing such communicatioina mounting for the valve permitting it to move into the last mentioned position so that it is out of the way of water passing from the tank to the valve through the passage, means associated with the valve for substantially countorbalancing the inflow pressure thereon, and a water supply line pipe connected ith said passage to supply water to the tank and adapted to be cut ofl from communication with the tank by said valve.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

I GEORGE nvANs WEBB. 

